How to Grow Sea Lavender

Sea lavender is a type of statice, which is often used as a filler flower-like baby’s breath-in floral arrangements. However, it is also a beautiful addition to flower beds. Its tall, finely branched stems can grow upward to 20-inches tall and produce tiny blooms in shades of purple and lavender. Some varieties of sea lavender are evergreen. Suitable for USDA zones 9 to 11.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Water
• Complete plant food
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Select the site for the sea lavender. The plants need full sun all day and can tolerate sites exposed to wind or coastal sites. They need soil with good drainage but the soil does not have to be rich; in fact, they can grow well in poor soil. Because it is drought tolerant, sea lavender can grow successfully in rock gardens.

2. Plant sea lavender in the spring. Till up the soil, remove rocks and other garden debris, then dig a hole that is larger than the sea lavender’s container. Carefully remove it from the container and use your fingers to gently loosen the root system. Place the sea lavender in the hole, fill with soil and tamp down gently to remove air bubbles. Water to settle the soil. Space sea lavender 18 to 24 inches apart.

3. Water sea lavender regularly until the plants are established. After that, give them an occasional deep watering, especially during prolonged dry weather. Apply a light sprinkling of complete plant food in the early spring. Other than poorly drained soil or heavily wet soil-which can cause the plant to rot-sea lavender has no real problems.

4. Watch for the sea lavender to bloom beginning in late summer and continuing into fall. Remove the first flower stem to encourage the plant to produce more flower stems. Harvest the plant when most of the flowers on the stem have fully opened if you plan to use it in a dried floral arrangement. If you are allowing it to grow as a bedding plant, cut off any remaining spent stems.

5. Propagate sea lavender by harvesting and sowing the seeds as soon as the flowers have dried and turned brown. After they sprout, space the new seedlings 10 to 12 inches apart. Water the new plants regularly until they are established and then give them an occasional deep watering, especially during prolonged periods of drought.

Tips & Warnings

• Dry the sea lavender by hanging it upside down in a dry, airy place. Once dried, it will retain its color for a long time.